[Melmo]

Finally someone is sitting down and getting to the bottom of what's wrong with me. My psychiatrist didn't even seem to want to entertain the idea of me having ADHD or bipolar because "I'm too high functioning" and that was that. Even though he only said that because that's how I was at that time. It didn't last.
But anyway, my family dr who has actually known me since I was just a few years old and knows my family history, told me today he thinks I have bipolar AND ADHD. Awesome.
So he prescribed me some Ritalin to try as an experiment, just 10 pills. And some sleeping meds because I've been staying up until 2am.
Anyone here have bipolar and ADHD?

[still_crazy]

I'd just try the ritalin and get some sleep first, before you think about bipolar of any sort. The fewer pills the better, and a lot of the drugs for bipolar aren't that good for you (and they're expensive, too).

Hope things work out for you.

I hope you don't have Bipolar....the meds suck but if you do they can be a game changer for some. Take it easy, take it slow and I hope your pill experiment goes well. Keep us posted. (((Hugs)))

[Victoria'smom]

Stimulants can make you manic be careful.

[bioChE]

Yes, some of us have bipolar and comorbid ADHD. I'm one of them, and medicated for both; with a mood stabilizer, an antipsychotic, and a stimulant.

The Ritalin test is a good one. If you have ADHD it'll likely calm you down, allow you to focus, and generally change the way you see the world in a good way. If you don't have ADHD, it'll be like rocket fuel and you'll feel like a squirrel who has just shotgunned six triple espressos.

Keep us posted.

ETA: Don't worry about the psychiatrist dismissing the possibility of BP because you're too high-functioning. Coming from another high functioning individual, I can guarantee that it's possible to be high-functioning, BP, and ADHD. I'd suggest you find another psychiatrist, and have your GP connect with them before your first visit. Doctors tend to usually take other doctor's thoughts seriously, especially when they have as long a history with you as yours does.

[Melmo]

Originally Posted by bioChE

Yes, some of us have bipolar and comorbid ADHD. I'm one of them, and medicated for both; with a mood stabilizer, an antipsychotic, and a stimulant.

The Ritalin test is a good one. If you have ADHD it'll likely calm you down, allow you to focus, and generally change the way you see the world in a good way. If you don't have ADHD, it'll be like rocket fuel and you'll feel like a squirrel who has just shotgunned six triple espressos.

Keep us posted.

ETA: Don't worry about the psychiatrist dismissing the possibility of BP because you're too high-functioning. Coming from another high functioning individual, I can guarantee that it's possible to be high-functioning, BP, and ADHD. I'd suggest you find another psychiatrist, and have your GP connect with them before your first visit. Doctors tend to usually take other doctor's thoughts seriously, especially when they have as long a history with you as yours does.

I took one pill at 1:40 when my toddler went for a nap and I sent my oldest to her room for quiet time and I laid down on the couch like I've been doing the last few weeks because in just so fatigued all the time and have no energy. About 15 mins later I suddenly felt...I don't know how to describe it but like I felt clear...then I felt like I didn't want to lay around anymore and actually had motivation to clean. (my apartment was a mess but I didn't have energy or motivation) I got up and cleaned my living room and kitchen, made supper and did some packing (moving on Friday) and I felt like o had so much energy. It was like how I felt when I once drank a red bull. By 6 though I was exhausted again.
I also noticed that I have a stomach ache that started soon after I took it. I can't remember if that's a side effect of Ritalin or not so I'll have to look into that.

[JustJace2u]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Stimulants can make you manic be careful.

When I was taking Adderall I became super hypomanic

[Melmo]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Stimulants can make you manic be careful.

Yea he mentioned it. I'm keeping that in mind and hoping for the best.

[~Christina]

Get a second opinion from a new Pdoc.

[Melmo]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Get a second opinion from a new Pdoc.

It's taken me years to get this one, it's not that easy when you don't have insurance.

[~Christina]

Since you have no insurance check into your county mental health services, they can offer a sliding scale for uninsured people.

Good luck

[Melmo]

I'm in Canada.

[Melmo]

Ok so it's now 8 hours since I took the 10mg of Ritalin and my stomach is still killing me. Is this normal? I was told it's out of your system after 6 hours.

[still_crazy]

stimulants made my stomach hurt sometimes. I was on an amphetamine (Adderall), but I think stimulants in general can cause some stomach problems in some people.

[MtnTime2896]

A second opinion is smart.

To answer the original question, yes I have both it seems. Though I hope that isn't the case with you. Goodluck.

[bioChE]

I've never had stomach problems on stimulants, but that doesn't mean much. Everyone's different.

Standard Ritalin will give about the duration of effectiveness you describe. 4-6 hrs max. When I was taking IR versions of those, I would take them 4x/day.

If you and your docs determine you do have ADHD, there are a lot of different stimulant options to try. Ritalin and Adderall are the gold standards. They're different medications; Ritalin is methylphenidate and Adderall is a mix of amphetamine salts. That being said, they behave very similarly and usually one or the other is better for an individual's symptoms. Then there are multiple extended release concotions of each, simply because Ritalin lasts for about four hours and Adderall about six. Everyone wants to find the purple squirrel; the one formulation that's effective all day and doesn't keep you up all night. Newest on the scene is Vyvanse, which is actually a different medication - it's a pro-form of an amphetamine that doesn't get metabolized to the actual drug until it's in your system and your body cleaves the molecule. The upside to this is it has a very long effective window - for most people it lasts 12-14 hours. It can also be a bit less "jarring" on the upswing and letdown when compared to the immediate release meds.

Regarding your mental reaction to taking the Ritalin, it sounds like you had a productive time aside from the stomach upset. That productivity is exactly what you're looking for with a stimulant treatment. The comparison to Red Bull is decent, but it shouldn't be as much of a "jittery" feeling that energy drinks can cause.

Good luck, and keep letting us know how it goes!

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Melmo

I'm in Canada.

Oh I'm sorry I can't see locations using Tapatalk.

I hope your feeling better soon

[Melmo]

Originally Posted by bioChE

I've never had stomach problems on stimulants, but that doesn't mean much. Everyone's different.

Standard Ritalin will give about the duration of effectiveness you describe. 4-6 hrs max. When I was taking IR versions of those, I would take them 4x/day.

If you and your docs determine you do have ADHD, there are a lot of different stimulant options to try. Ritalin and Adderall are the gold standards. They're different medications; Ritalin is methylphenidate and Adderall is a mix of amphetamine salts. That being said, they behave very similarly and usually one or the other is better for an individual's symptoms. Then there are multiple extended release concotions of each, simply because Ritalin lasts for about four hours and Adderall about six. Everyone wants to find the purple squirrel; the one formulation that's effective all day and doesn't keep you up all night. Newest on the scene is Vyvanse, which is actually a different medication - it's a pro-form of an amphetamine that doesn't get metabolized to the actual drug until it's in your system and your body cleaves the molecule. The upside to this is it has a very long effective window - for most people it lasts 12-14 hours. It can also be a bit less "jarring" on the upswing and letdown when compared to the immediate release meds.

Regarding your mental reaction to taking the Ritalin, it sounds like you had a productive time aside from the stomach upset. That productivity is exactly what you're looking for with a stimulant treatment. The comparison to Red Bull is decent, but it shouldn't be as much of a "jittery" feeling that energy drinks can cause.

Good luck, and keep letting us know how it goes!

Red bull has never caused me to feel jittery, but I've only had it once or twice and it's been awhile. Basically it gave me so much energy that I was able to focus on what I needed to get done, and do it. Although I felt like I couldn't stay still for a few hours and noticed while I was cleaning and packing (I didn't do dishes until a few hours later because that involved standing in one place) that I moved very fast, which was a change because I am usually so tired that everything I do is slow.

[Melmo]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Oh I'm sorry I can't see locations using Tapatalk.

I hope your feeling better soon

Thanks, I'm gonna try it again this morning and hopefully not have the stomach ache.

[bioChE]

Good luck. Hope you don't have the stomach problems.